Facelifted 2016 Bentley Mulsanne unveiled

Bentley has revealed the latest Mulsanne, featuring revised styling and a new Extended Wheelbase version. As if the Mulsanne wasn’t big enough already.

Indeed, the range now extends to four models: the EWB joins the existing Mulsanne and Mulsanne Speed and there’s also a six-seater version of the EWB, with four rear seats in face-to-face pairs.

The front end features a new bumper, 80mm-wider radiator grille and all-LED adaptive headlights, while at the rear is a new bumper and tail lights.

The thumping, 6.75-litre turbo V8 engine remains unchanged, not that the Mulsanne was lacking power in the first place. The standard car produces 505bhp and 752lb/ft of torque, enough for a 0-62mph time of 5.1secs and 184mph top speed. The Speed, meanwhile makes 730bhp and a mountainous 811lb/ft, does 0-62mph in 4.9secs and tops out at 190mph.

A few tweaks have been made to the chassis including active engine mounts, new suspension bushes and specially developed Dunlop tyres that are 4dBA quieter than those on the current car.

The most significant change to the interior is a new 8in touchscreen infotainment system that could probably put the owner’s butler (and they are bound to have a butler) out of a job. Rear seat passengers have their own state-of-the-art, tablet-based infotainment system as well. And everyone’s eardrums can implode under the optional 2,200W Naim stereo.

250mm has been added between the axles to create the EWB, taking the length up to 5,875mm (over 19ft). A pair of “airline-style” seats with extending footrests gives “a first-class air-travel experience,” Bentley claims. The console that separates them contains USB ports, pen and cupholders and a glass-coverage stowage box. Electric curtains and a sunroof over the rear compartment are standard fit.

The interior leather upholstery alone takes 150 hours to complete. Buyers have a choice of 24 hides and 13 veneers, but the possibilities are virtually limitless if the car goes through the Mulliner bespoke department (near-enough every Mulsanne does).

Few details have been released on the six-seater version, but it is understood to be a full metre longer than standard. Both and the EWB are targeted primarily at the Chinese market, where the people who own this sort of car prefer to be driven and where bigger is always better.

The 2016 Bentley Mulsanne debuts at the Geneva Motor Show next week and will be on sale shortly thereafter. Prices haven’t been released, but are expected to rise slightly from current levels (£229,360 for the standard car and £252,000 for the Speed).